Crib or bed and the like structure



July 24,` 1928.

C. VALLONE CRIB 0R BED AND THE LIKE STRUCTURE Filed sept. 26, 1925 ZZ I ZO fg.

Patented July 24, 1928.`

y UNITED STATES 1,678,231 PATEN'Iy OFFICE.

`CJHARLES VALLONE, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO BARCALO MANUFACTUR- ING COMPANY, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK. 'i f CRIB on BED AND THE LIKE STRUCTURE.

Application led September 26, 1925. Serial No; 58,904.

This invention relates to improvements in childrens cribs or beds and the like structures, and particularly to that class of such cribs having side frames or panels provided with a lower stationary section and an upper section pivotally connected with and movable relative to the lower section, whereby it may occupy either a position above and in the vertical plane of the lower section, or so that it may be dropped or swung downwardly to a position alongside. said sections -to give access to the inside of the crib. y

In structures of this 'characterheretofore provided the hinges or pivotal connections between the sections, and the fastening or securing devices for holding the movable sections in their upper or operative position have been such as to permit relative movements and consequent rattling and noise `between the parts during the use of the crib, and further, in some cases the securing devices have been so formed that the child occupying the crib could release the movable section. v y y The principal obj ects ofthe present invention are to construct a Side framefor cribs and the like having an improved hinge `or pivotal connection between thel stationary vand the movable section of the side frame, which is substantially noiseless in use and operates easily and smoothly; also to pro-` vide an improved keeper, `latch or securing device which is adapted to maintain the movable section in its upper operative position and is readily operable by persons other than a child occupying the crib to release the section or secure the same in operative position. but is so constructed that, under ordinary' conditions,ra child would be unable to effect the release of the movable section; also to construct a hinge or pivotal connection foithe movable section adapted. to cooperate with the improved keeper of this invention, and which is adapted to permit ay limited upward and downward movementof the movable section for releasing or engag ing the same from or with the securing device, in addition to a swinging movement of said section about said stationary section; also to Vconstruct a hinge'connection for this-purpose having positive stop means of iovel construction for holding the movable section in operative position, and'which also is adapted to limit the movement ofthe section in a direction to release the same from the keeper, and also kactsto positively limit the downward swinging movement of the ings, adapted to be assembled and secured'y to the crib at a minimum of expense.`

The upper and lower sectionsof the side frames or panels for cribs of'thischaracter are usually of like or substantially similar construction.y For instance, the sections are lower railnconnected by fillers extending in the same general direction in each section, and lthas beenfound that 1n such cases the lgeneral appearance `of the crib has been often eachforined of a horizontal upper and i marred by the occurrence of slight dis`t crepancies or errors in manufacture, such as a misalinement of one or more bars or rods which would'be accentuated or made particularly noticeable when the movable panel is in open position.

A further object, therefore, of the present invention is to construct a side frame for cribs in which the horizontal bars of the upper and lower. sections are connected by fillers or members of contrasting character or of different design, so that slight discrepancies or errors ofmanufacture will not be noticeable. y y o Other objects of the invention are to improve and simplify the construction, and reduce the cost ofmanufacture vof childrens cribs in the other respects hereinafter specified and claimed. i

In the accompanying drawings, y 4

Fig. 1 is aside elevation of a childs criby showing a side frame including a stationary section and a movable section, and connectying means and securing devices for said movable section embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the movl able section of the side frame in its lower on an enlarged scale, on line 3 3, Fig. 1

showing the movable section of the side -frame in its .upper or operative positlon.

Fig. 4`is a similar view .showlng the side-g frame moved upwardly to release the same from its upright or operative position.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation, on yan enlarged scale, on line 545, Fig. 2, showing thei movable section in its, lower position. y

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional elevation on line 6-6, Fig. 1, showingv the :improved pivotal connect-ion bet-ween themovable and Stationary sections of the side frame.Y n

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on line 7%7, Fig. 6, of the pivotal connection for` kthe movable section. y l Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional velevation showing one of the securing devices or keepv ers for the movable section of they side frame. Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical section of the keeper and adjacent partsof the crib, on line 9 '99Fig-81 i y, *l i Fig'. lO'is a perspective view, detached, of one ,of lthe keepers or securing devices'.

The crib shown in thev drawings comprises, as usual, upright, static-nary end frames or members provided with ltubular cornerposts 12, said frames being secured together by longitudinal side rails 13 and whichV mayy also form the side rails of the mattress frame. The spaces above the rails 13 and between the posts 1 2 are closed by side frames, yone or both of which includes a loweriixed or stationery section or trarnev 14mifor1ne`d of' top and bottom horizontal tubes orrails 15 16 connected togethei` in any suitable manner,

. such as by the spa-ced, vertical rods 17 and vmembers of different character to those 4used f preferably havingA the ends of thev rails 15 and 16 rigidly attached to the end frame-sf 12. The side frame'v further comprises. an

.upper section or frame 20, adapted. to extend above and in the vertical plane of the lower section wheny in operativeposition,A

and which is pivotally connected to the lower section so as to swing outwardly and downwardly alongside the same when `access into the inside of the crib is desired. The sec-` tion 20 is provided with topy and bottom lhoriy zontal tubesV or rails 21# and 22, and, in accordance with the present invention, vthesey rails are connected together by fillers or for the lower sections 14, such, for instance, as the rods 23, 23a and 24, sho-wn in Figs. 1 and 2. This feature of the invention will be later referred to and more fully rexV plained. The bottom rail 22 of the upper, movable section 2() is pivotally secured to the toprail 15 of the lower section 14 by connecting devices 25 constructed inaccordance with this invention, preferably disposed' one i at each end of the section.

y The extremities' of the top rail 21 of the section 20 are adafpt-M ed to engage and be releasably secured in keepers or securing devices 26, one of which rother suitable means.

is fixed to each corner vpost 12 and "is constructed and adapted, in accordance with this invention, tofcooperate with Vthe pivotal connectio-ns`25 to permit the upper section 2O to be releasably maintained in operative position as shown in Fig. 1, and so that said section may be moved a short distance upr wardly to' reileaffethe same from the keepers and permit the section 20 to be swung downwardly alongside of thelower section '14 as shown inFigsy2 and 5.

' Intaccordance with the invention, 'each Iof the'pivotal devices f or connections 25 is in the form' off a three section, or double pivot hinge, and, as shown, comprises yan `rupwardly extending arm or partv30 rigidly lsecured tothe topfhoriZo-ntal yrail 15 of the stationary section 14,' a downwardly extendingy vandl forwardly "oifset arm or part 3l rigidlyv secured to the' bottom horizontal rail 22 of the movable section 20,`with its lower fend extendingin'frontof, and adjacent to, thefupper endl of the armjf30. -A movable `link 32 is pivotally connected to said ends of thea-rms 30 and 31, respectively, as byineans ofthe 'POtsY or'studs'33 and 34.5 i I [adapted to be inserted int-c a. hole 40 in the wall of the tubular'end post with Athe stop shoulders 39 abutting againstthe post 12, and the plate is further jprovided with an- L"other vfoil'set 'end portion 41 terminating in a downwardly extending lug 42 adapted to abutagainst and bev secured to the adjacent ltace of'th'epost- 12,' as by a rivet or other r"attachingdevice 43, see-'Fig'. 10.`

n By providing theflug '38e-nd stop shoulders 39, thekeeper 26 is' adapted tov be securedtoI the post 12 'bythe rsingle vrivet 43 'passing throughy lug 42, `but* obviou'dy the keeper could'be secured to the' post 12 by any l, The bodyportion 36 of the plate is formed with anirregular recess or slot havingl a horizontal'portion`45extending to the front "or outer edge -of theplate, and a downwardly ext-ending closed port-ion 46 terminating in .a bottom stop orfseat 47, said portion 46 being connected tothe horizontal portion 45 by rearwardly"extending"offset portion 48,k

so formed or proportioned as toprovide a rearwardly extending `stop shoulderv 50 adap-ted to voverhang the portion 46 of the slot.` The rear -edge or wall of the portion '48 is adapted to form a slop 51'.

The upper swinging section 20 ofthe side frame is provided at eachend with a, relatively fixed finger or part adapted to be engaged with and released from an adjacent keeper 26. 1n the construction shown each end of the horizontal top rail 21 ofthe uppersection y2O is :termed or provided with an integral finger .or reduced part 53 extending longitudinally therefrom,` and in the upper or closed positionoi the section 20, each finger extends into the recess of the adjacent keeper and rests on the bottom stop or seat 47. Inthis position, the links 32 et the pivotal'connections 25 extend substantially horizontally as shown in Figs. 3 and` 6. In order to move the lingers 53 out of the recesses in the keepers 26 to lower the section 20, it is necessary to lift the rail 21 first upwardly out of the portion 46 of said recesses,.then rearwardly through theportions 48 in order yto pass the overy hanging stop shoulder "50, this rearward movement, however, being limited by the stop 51, and thence upwardly and :toi-ward ly through the horizontal open portion of the recess, see Fig. 4. This movement ot the rail 21 of the section-2O is permitted by the double pivot connection f between the links 32 and the arms 30 and 31, the links 32 swinging` upwardly about the pivots 33, see Fig. 4. The distance between thepivots 33 and 34 is substantially equal to or slightly greater than the distance from the bottom of the portion 46 of the recess and the'open end of the portion 45 of said recess,V so that the'section 2O is permitted to move'y as a whole without. binding or straining the Apivotal connections or parts of the crib.

WWhen the section 20, has been moved to the position shown in Fig. 4, as just explained,

it may be easily lowered by an outward and downward movement to a position` alongside y the lower section 14 as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the links 32 swinging back to their horizontal positions on their pivots 33 during this movement, so that during the last part of said downward movement, the section 2O swings about the other pivots 34. j In order to prevent the section 2O from striking or rattling against the section 14 when in lowered position, stop means or abutments are provided which are adapted to yabut and positively hold the section 2O in spaced relation to said lower section. For this purpose in the construction shown, theedge of the iixed arm 30,'.and the edge 56 onthe oliset arm 31 oteach connection 25 are utilized, these edges vengaging 1 or abutting against each other tof limit the movement or' the section 2() inwardly toi wards the section 14 s shown? inHFig. 5. As the arms 30 and 31 are rigidly secured to the rails 15 and 22respectively, no further i inward. movement oi' the swinging section 2O can occur after said faces 55 and 56 are in contact, so that there can be no rattling ory striking of the swinging section 2O against the fixed side frame section 14.

It. is desirable to maintain the lower end of the section 2O in a relatively stationary position with reference to the section 14 when said section 2O is in itsupper or opera- Vtive position so that the same is prevented `from swinging or rattling, and it is also desirable to limit the upward movement of said section 2O when disengaging the same from the keepers 26, in order to prevent the links 32 from swinging the pivots 34 up to or beyond the dead center position relatively to the pivots 33 and thus interfering with the lowering of said section 20.

To eiilect these results, stop means are provided, which in the construction shown, comprises a stop or projection 58 formed on,

' or secured to each link 32, and extending lat- 'adapted to rest on the stop shoulder 59 and when the link 32 is swung upwardly about the pivot the stop projection 58 engages the other stop shoulder 60 which isso positioned that the link 32 cannot swing into a dead center position with reference to the pivot seey Fig. 4.

The stop or projection 58 on the link 32 is preferably formed by striking out or upsetting a portion of the metal of the arm, thus obviating the labor and cost of securing a separate stop pin or other Vmember to the link. y

The arms 30, 31 may be rigidly secured to they respective rails 15 and 22 so as to extend transversely thereoft in anyY suitable manner, but preferablyare'secured by means of an integral shank or stud 62 extending eiidwise in the plane of the arms and adapted to enter holes in the rails so that their ends may be riveted against. the opposite liaces'of said rails. In order to prevent the turning or displacement of the arms relatively to the rails to which they are secured, each arm is provided, adjacent the shank G2 with a curved shoulder or edge 63 formed concentrically with the outside 'of the tubular rail, and which is adapted to extend transversely across and be drawn tightly y30 so as to tit snugly on the seats 47 in the recesses of the keepers 26, practically no play can occur between the parts of the. side frame, and the movable section is held stationary when in its upper position so that noise and rattling is prevented 'when the crib is in use. By forming each keeper of a single piece and rigidly connecting it 'to' a corner post, the noiseless feature oi the crib is further ensured.

By makingthe arm 31 of offset form, as shown, with the offset- 65, the swinging crib section 20, when in its lower position is spaced ata distance from the lined section le so that there is no danger of pincliinga childs lingers between the bai-s and 22, as may be clearly seen by referringto Fig. `5, and all possibility of contact between the seca tions 14: and 2O is eliminated, which prevents noises or rattling and also prevents damage to the linish or the crib.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the top and n bottom rails 21 and 22 ot the upper movable section 2O are connected by illers or rods 23, 23a and 24, as previously stated'. By forming this section with fillers ot' diierentdesign to that ot the fillers 17 of the section 14, or

which are ot different character oi' appear-k ance from the fillers used in the other section 14, the appearance of the side framer noticeable when the movable top section ofv the crib is in its upper position, but would be `greatly accentuated and hecoine decidedly.

conspicuous when this section is in its lower position in front of the stationary section oi the side frame. Consequently, a crib ofthe kind described` might become unsaleable because of slight 'faults of manutacture which would not in anv wayimpair the usefulnessy or durability ot the crib. but by arranging the iiller rods or members which connect the horizontal rails of Aone oli' the sections in a different pattern relatively to the fillers oi the other section, a pleasing appearance is` assured even if slight Jfaults or inaccuracies et manu-facture occur.

Obviously. the connecting rods or members may be arranged in other wavs than those shown in the drawings ineither the lower or upper sections 14 and 20. as desired.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a side frame for a crib or thelike,`

the combination ot an upright stationary sec-- tion.. a movable section adapted to occupy an upright` operative position aboveand ad-Uy iacent said station aryvsection. securing means for holding said movable section Vin said uprio'ht position and which is constructed to permit said section to be released therefrom by an upward and forward movement to movements,U said hinge comprising atfixed arm extending` upwardly from the, top of said stationarysection, a iiredarni extending outwardly and downwardly froin'the bottom of said movable section and havingits free vend offset vand extending downwardly, said .other farm having its end disposed in horizontalalinement with said offset yend of said second arm and both of said ends'being ary ranged` afvert-ical transverse plane, ra

transverse linkfdisposed alongside of, anydm piyotally connectedto the ends of said'arnis, ai stopfon said link extending laterallyxtherefrom into ysaidplane ofsaidarins, and a 'stop shoulder on said iirst mentioned arm adapted to kbe engaged by said stop on said link to hold saidinovable section in upright,

operative position, and ase'cond'stop shoulder `on said ai'ni'also adapted to *bek engaged by said stop on said linkto limit saidupward releasing movement of saidsection. y

s 2. In a side frame `for avcrib or Athelike, the combination of anupright stationary section, yajmovalole section adapted tor occupy an upright,operative position above and adjacent said stationary section, securing means ferliolding said-movable section in said upright position, and which is constructedto permit said section to be released therefrom byfanupward and forward movement and then to swingto a downwardly extending, inoperative position alongside said station-v ary section, and a hinge' connection lbetween said sections which is constructed to permit such movements, said hinge comprising a fixed extending upwardlyftrom the top ot saidL stationary section` a fixed arm extending outwardly and downwardly from .the bottom of said movable section and having` its'freeend oifset and extending downwardly, said :other arm having its end'dislposed in horizontal alinement with said offof and pivotally connected ytosaid ends of4 said armsv` and cooperating faceson each of `said. fixed arms whichxarepadapted to abut tion, a movable section adapted to occupy.. anr upright, operative position above, and

adjacentr said stationary section, .securing `means for holding said movable section in said upright vposit-ionfand which is Ycon structed rto permit said section to be released iso Cil

ary section, eachof said sections having ak trame portion adjacent the other section, a

lhinge connection between said sections which is constructed to permit such movements,4 said hinge comprising a pair of oppositely extending sheet metal arms, one of which is secured to and extends transversely of the frame portion ot' each section, a pair of stop yshoulders on one of said arms, and a sheet metal link pivotally connected to said arms and having an integral stop extending into the plane of said `arms and adapted to engage one of said stop shoulders to hold said movable section stationary while in upright operative position, said stop being also engageable with the other stop shoulder to lim it the upward releasing movement of said section. n

4. In a side frame for a crib or the like, the combination of an upright stationary sec-` tion, a movable section adapted to occupy an upright, operative position above and adjacent said stationarysection, securing means for holding said movable section in said upright position, a hinge connection between said sections comprising a pairot' oppositely extending sheet metal arms, one of which is secured to and extends transverselyof the frame portion of' each section, a pair of stop shoulders on one of said arms, a sheet metal link pivotally connected to said arms andv having anfintegral stop extending into the plane of said armsand adapted to engage one of said stop shoulders to hold said movable section stationary while in upright operative position, said stop being also engageable withthe other stop shoulder to limit upward movement of said section, and said arms each having a side edge, one of which abuts against the other when said movable section is swung downwardly to its inoperative position to limit such movement and to positively hold said section out of contact with said stationary section. l

5.1K crib or the like having a stationary side section and a movable section, a vstationary securing device on said crib having an irregular open slot, a fixed part on said movable "sectionformed to engage in said slot to maintain said section in upright operative relation to and above said stationary section, said iixed part on said movable section being disengageable from said slot by a tortuous upward and youtward movement to yrelease said movable section, and a hinge connection'between said sections which is constructed to cooperate in the movements of said movable section and' permit the latter to be released from or engaged with said securing device andwhich also permits said section to swing about said hinge to a depending position alongside said stationary section, said hinge connection comprising a iixed arm'extending lupwardly from the top of said stationary section, a fixed arm extending outwardly -and downwardly trom the bottom of said movable section and having its free end oii'set and extending downwardly, said other arm having its end disposed in horizontal alinement with said offset end of said second arm and both of said ends being arranged in a vertical transverse plane, a transverse link disposed alongside ot and pivotally connected to said ends ot said arms, a stop on said link extending laterally therefrom into the plane of said arms, and a. stop shoulder on said first mentioned arm adapted to be engaged by said stop on said link to` hold said movable section in upright operative position, and a second stop shoulder on said arm also adapted to be engaged by said stop on said link to limit s aid upward releasing movement of said section.

6. A crib or the like having a stationary side section and a movable section, a stationary securing device on said crib having an irregular open slot, a lixed part on said movable section formed to engage in said slot to maintain said section in upright operative relation to and above said stationary section, said fixed part on said movable section being disengageable from said slot by a tortuous upward and outward movement to release said movable section, and a hinge Yconnection.between said sections which is constructed to cooperate in the movements of said movable section and permit the latter to be released from or engaged with said secur- `arm and both of said ends being arranged in a vertical` transverse plane, a transverse link disposed alongside ot' and pivotally connected to said `ends of said arms, and cooperating faces on each of said .fixed arms which are adapted to abut when said movable section is swung downwardiy so as to limit such movement, and said faces also acting to positively hold said movable section in spaced relation to said stationary section.

oHiinLns vALLoNE.

ing device, and which also permits said secv 

